Blogging Resolutions

Today is Friday.  The last day of the week, and the day I'm celebrating about having two days off.  But, after being off work for two weeks, and only being back at work one day, it doesn't seem as exciting today.  Not that I don't want the two days off... I totally do.

This is also the day that I usually do my Friday's Letters.

I love writing my Friday's Letters.  They are quick, fun, and usually mindless.  I can just let out some steam on the page, and get on with my day.

But, I also feel like my blog has become a hub for recurring blog post themes rather than actual blog posts written from the heart each day.  I have Truthful Tuesday, Ten Things Thursday, Friday's Letters.  I spend Monday recapping the weekend - which is just a repeat of what I wrote about on Saturday and Sunday.  That doesn't really leave much room for unique posts.

While I don't think there's anything wrong with doing weekly post themes, I need to cut back.  I don't want to fall in to a sink hole of doing the same ol' same ol' over and over each week.

So, here's what I'm thinking.  I need some blog resolutions.  First week of January is a great week to think about the future of my blog - and how I want to run it.

I like consistency.  I like plans and organization.  But, I also have to keep a balance of writing this blog for me, and not because it's just a part of my routine.  What happens when I make my blog routine?  Weekly repetitive posts that require little thought.  Not really what a blog is for.  So, I think some resolutions for my blog is the way to go...

1.  The first day of each month, I will try and recap the progress of my resolutions.  MY resolutions, not the blog resolutions.  I will update my weight loss progress, my money saving progress, my time management progress, my family time progress, etc.  I think it's a great way to stay in check with my resolutions all year...and not forgetting about them a month in.

2.  I'm keeping Truthful Tuesday.  Why every day of my blog writing is truthful and honest, I like having a day each week where I throw stuff out there that don't take up an entire blog post.  But, rather than writing my Truthful Tuesday posts about cheating on my healthy eating plan, or not doing something I said I would, or being an entire post of complaining about what I want to do but haven't done yet - I'm going to try and keep it a little more upbeat.  Does that mean I won't be complaining?  Probably not - but just not about myself.  All of the time.

3.  I'm will do themed posts the last week of each month.  I don't want to get rid of my Letters post and Ten Things Thursday... I just don't want to do them every week.  So, I figure if I designate a week each month to do them, I can focus on writing about other stuff throughout the month.

4.  I will read and comment on at least two blogs a day.  I miss the interactions I had with fellow bloggers.  I would comment on a blog, they'd comment on mine.  That's how it works.  I know that I started avoiding reading blogs because they were focused on weight loss - and I.. well... wasn't.  But I considered those bloggers as my friends - we built relationships - and I bailed on them.  I can't expect people to come back to my blog and support me if I bailed on them.  So, I'll be rekindling some relationships - and looking for new ones.

5. I will stop worrying what others might think about what I have to say.  Kind of.  Being a public blogger is difficult - especially in my line of work.  I'm a very opinionated person, and I usually have opinions and feelings about everything.  I don't like to share a lot of them, however, because I'm always worried about offending someone or what people might think about me.  While I have to censor and monitor some of my feelings, I should NEVER have to worry about what others might think about me.  From now on, if I have something on my mind that I want to write about - and I know it won't get me in to trouble - I'm going to write about it.  If it offends people or upsets them or makes them not like me - so be it.  I can't write a blog about me if I can't be me.  Right?   So while I'll still probably stay away from the top stuff like religion and politics, I won't be backing off from saying something just because a few people that may stumble across my blog might not like it.  It's my blog - and I often forget that.

OK, I think that about does it.  I know, I know, this all sounds very planned and organized - but there's no way I can totally throw out my plans and organization.  It's just who I am.

I haven't had great progress with resolutions in the past, I know that, but I feel like this year may be the year.  If I make myself more accountable, keep track of my plans and progress consistently, and use my resolutions as my guide through the year, I may have some major progress.  I can hope, anyway.

Alright, time to get ready for work.